Santa Cruz Hightower 3 CC Frame
The Hightower 3 CC is Santa Cruz's top-level all-mountain carbon frameset, prized for its balanced geometry that blends confident descending with efficient climbing; its CC carbon layup delivers a high stiffness-to-weight ratio that justifies a premium price compared with mid-market frames on this list. Compared with the other frames here it stands out for refined ride compliance and broad aftermarket support, offering a turnkey high-performance foundation for riders who prioritize light weight and refined handling over the more value-oriented or adjustable designs from competitors.
Balanced pop — pocket rocket
Climbs efficient — uphill grin
Balanced pop — pocket rocket
Climbs efficient — uphill grin
Review Summary
"Long-term owners praise the Hightower CC for its balanced handling, confident descending and efficient climbing across varied terrain. Criticisms focus on the premium price and that it isn’t the absolute lightest option in its class."
Plush compliance — buttery ride
High-modulus carbon layup optimized for a strong stiffness-to-weight balance.
Plush compliance — buttery ride
High-modulus carbon layup optimized for a strong stiffness-to-weight balance.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Hightower 3 CC is Santa Cruz's top-level all-mountain carbon frameset, prized for its balanced geometry that blends confident descending with efficient climbing; its CC carbon layup delivers a high stiffness-to-weight ratio that justifies a premium price compared with mid-market frames on this list. Compared with the other frames here it stands out for refined ride compliance and broad aftermarket support, offering a turnkey high-performance foundation for riders who prioritize light weight and refined handling over the more value-oriented or adjustable designs from competitors.
Balanced pop — pocket rocket
Climbs efficient — uphill grin
Plush compliance — buttery ride
High-modulus carbon layup optimized for a strong stiffness-to-weight balance.
Modern all-mountain geometry tuned for stable high-speed descents and efficient climbing.
Balanced pop — pocket rocket
Climbs efficient — uphill grin
Plush compliance — buttery ride
High-modulus carbon layup optimized for a strong stiffness-to-weight balance.
Modern all-mountain geometry tuned for stable high-speed descents and efficient climbing.
$3500-4500 CAD
Devinci Troy Carbon Frame
The Troy Carbon frameset brings Devinci's all-mountain pedigree into a competitively priced carbon package, delivering a lively, playful feel that often undercuts the cost of similarly capable frames while retaining modern geometry and reliable construction. Against the other models listed it represents a value-conscious choice—offering many of the technical traits needed for aggressive trail riding at a lower entry cost, making it attractive for riders who want carbon performance without the highest-tier price premium.
Burly confidence — huck-ready
Slack-speed stability — rock shrug
Burly confidence — huck-ready
Slack-speed stability — rock shrug
Review Summary
"Riders report the Devinci Troy Carbon is playful, nimble and capable on technical descents while remaining reasonably efficient on climbs. Some users find it a bit firm on very rough trails and less refined than a few higher-end rivals."
Durable build — trail tank
Durable carbon construction designed to handle aggressive trail and enduro-style riding.
Durable build — trail tank
Durable carbon construction designed to handle aggressive trail and enduro-style riding.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
The Troy Carbon frameset brings Devinci's all-mountain pedigree into a competitively priced carbon package, delivering a lively, playful feel that often undercuts the cost of similarly capable frames while retaining modern geometry and reliable construction. Against the other models listed it represents a value-conscious choice—offering many of the technical traits needed for aggressive trail riding at a lower entry cost, making it attractive for riders who want carbon performance without the highest-tier price premium.
Burly confidence — huck-ready
Slack-speed stability — rock shrug
Durable build — trail tank
Durable carbon construction designed to handle aggressive trail and enduro-style riding.
Confident, descent-oriented geometry that still climbs efficiently.
Burly confidence — huck-ready
Slack-speed stability — rock shrug
Durable build — trail tank
Durable carbon construction designed to handle aggressive trail and enduro-style riding.
Confident, descent-oriented geometry that still climbs efficiently.
$2200-3200 CAD
Rocky Mountain Instinct Carbon Frame
Rocky Mountain's Instinct Carbon is engineered for efficient climbing and confident descending, featuring a suspension tune and geometry that favor balanced, long-day all-mountain performance; its design emphasizes versatility for mixed-terrain riding and is priced to compete strongly in the mid-to-high segment. Compared to the others in the list, the Instinct stands out for its climb-focused kinematics and configurable setup that appeals to North American trail riders seeking a single frame that performs well across long rides and technical descents.
Pedal-friendly — all-day miles
Adjustable DNA — tweak geek
Pedal-friendly — all-day miles
Adjustable DNA — tweak geek
Review Summary
"Owners value the Rocky Mountain Instinct Carbon for its excellent pedaling efficiency, balanced geometry and confidence-inspiring handling on long mixed-terrain rides. A minority note it’s not as plush on very big hits as more enduro-focused frames."
Snappy handling — nimble fox
Carbon frame tuned to deliver a blend of efficient climbing performance and capable descending.
Snappy handling — nimble fox
Carbon frame tuned to deliver a blend of efficient climbing performance and capable descending.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Rocky Mountain's Instinct Carbon is engineered for efficient climbing and confident descending, featuring a suspension tune and geometry that favor balanced, long-day all-mountain performance; its design emphasizes versatility for mixed-terrain riding and is priced to compete strongly in the mid-to-high segment. Compared to the others in the list, the Instinct stands out for its climb-focused kinematics and configurable setup that appeals to North American trail riders seeking a single frame that performs well across long rides and technical descents.
Pedal-friendly — all-day miles
Adjustable DNA — tweak geek
Snappy handling — nimble fox
Carbon frame tuned to deliver a blend of efficient climbing performance and capable descending.
Geometry focused on traction and rider confidence across varied all-mountain terrain.
Pedal-friendly — all-day miles
Adjustable DNA — tweak geek
Snappy handling — nimble fox
Carbon frame tuned to deliver a blend of efficient climbing performance and capable descending.
Geometry focused on traction and rider confidence across varied all-mountain terrain.
$2600-3800 CAD
Norco Sight C Frame
The Norco Sight C carbon frameset offers a pragmatic all-mountain platform with progressive geometry and durability prioritized for aggressive trail use, typically positioned at a more accessible price point than the ultra-premium offerings. In relation to the other frames, the Sight C is notable for delivering confidence-inspiring handling and strong value, making it a smart option for riders who want a capable carbon frameset without stepping up to the highest-cost, race-oriented models.
Archetypal all-mountain — steady grin
Flickable chassis — playful jabs
Archetypal all-mountain — steady grin
Flickable chassis — playful jabs
Review Summary
"Users like the Norco Sight C for its playful yet stable character, strong descending capability and good value among all-mountain carbon frames. Some report it’s slightly heavier than premium carbon competitors and can feel busy on steep, sustained climbs."
Composed at speed — grin machine
Cost-effective carbon layup providing strong stiffness-to-weight characteristics for all-mountain use.
Composed at speed — grin machine
Cost-effective carbon layup providing strong stiffness-to-weight characteristics for all-mountain use.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Norco Sight C carbon frameset offers a pragmatic all-mountain platform with progressive geometry and durability prioritized for aggressive trail use, typically positioned at a more accessible price point than the ultra-premium offerings. In relation to the other frames, the Sight C is notable for delivering confidence-inspiring handling and strong value, making it a smart option for riders who want a capable carbon frameset without stepping up to the highest-cost, race-oriented models.
Archetypal all-mountain — steady grin
Flickable chassis — playful jabs
Composed at speed — grin machine
Cost-effective carbon layup providing strong stiffness-to-weight characteristics for all-mountain use.
Trail-focused geometry that balances playful handling with composure on technical descents.
Archetypal all-mountain — steady grin
Flickable chassis — playful jabs
Composed at speed — grin machine
Cost-effective carbon layup providing strong stiffness-to-weight characteristics for all-mountain use.
Trail-focused geometry that balances playful handling with composure on technical descents.
$2000-3000 CAD
Pivot Switchblade Pro XT/XTR Frame
Pivot's Switchblade Pro XT/XTR is the market-leading, race-capable all-mountain carbon frameset that combines a highly refined suspension platform with precision engineering and premium finishes, commanding the top price but offering unmatched integration and performance. Versus the other options it distinguishes itself with the most track-focused chassis and component-level compatibility, making it the go-to choice for riders who demand maximum efficiency, stiffness, and adjustability in a single high-end frameset.
Race-bred efficiency — sprint horse
DW-Link smoothness — buttery pop
Race-bred efficiency — sprint horse
DW-Link smoothness — buttery pop
Review Summary
"Long-term riders rave about the Pivot Switchblade Pro for its top-tier stiffness-to-weight balance, outstanding climbing efficiency and composed downhill performance. The main drawbacks cited are the high purchase cost and premium-level support/parts expectations."
Stiff power transfer — punchy snap
Premium carbon construction and precision engineering aimed at race-ready all-mountain performance.
Stiff power transfer — punchy snap
Premium carbon construction and precision engineering aimed at race-ready all-mountain performance.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Pivot's Switchblade Pro XT/XTR is the market-leading, race-capable all-mountain carbon frameset that combines a highly refined suspension platform with precision engineering and premium finishes, commanding the top price but offering unmatched integration and performance. Versus the other options it distinguishes itself with the most track-focused chassis and component-level compatibility, making it the go-to choice for riders who demand maximum efficiency, stiffness, and adjustability in a single high-end frameset.
Race-bred efficiency — sprint horse
DW-Link smoothness — buttery pop
Stiff power transfer — punchy snap
Premium carbon construction and precision engineering aimed at race-ready all-mountain performance.
Progressive geometry emphasizing stability at speed while remaining nimble on climbs.
Race-bred efficiency — sprint horse
DW-Link smoothness — buttery pop
Stiff power transfer — punchy snap
Premium carbon construction and precision engineering aimed at race-ready all-mountain performance.
Progressive geometry emphasizing stability at speed while remaining nimble on climbs.
$4200-5200 CAD